I am by no means an expert on music: I just love it. Music always knows what to say, how to act and where to be. Because I have spent so much time with music, I feel like I need to talk about it, share my opinions about it, write about it. So here it goes….

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In this part of the Live Series, I take a look at the concerts that got away. Those shows that somehow eluded me, and now I’ll always be left in the world of what could’ve, should’ve, and would’ve been.

There is something so comforting about these guys. I have many memories attached to their music, and their classic sound is filled with nostalgia, making them feel like lifelong friends. The familiarity in their music never fails to warm me up inside. Yet, between 1994 and 2008, they played 12 live shows in Toronto, and I couldn’t find the time in my busy, self-absorbed life, to go see them live. They broke up in 2009, and I will never forgive myself for missing out on something that should’ve happened.

I’ll start right away with admitting that I have seen Coldplay live. Once in either 2006 or 2008 for either the X&Y or Viva La Vida tour; once accidentally in 2011 at Lollapalooza. Here’s the thing: everything Coldplay did post- X&Y isn’t worth listening to. That’s when they sold out, changed their sound to appeal to the masses, and lost what truly made them unique, truly made them Coldplay. I didn’t really fall for them until their sophomore album A Rush of Blood to the Head, released August 2002. In September 2002, they breezed through Toronto, and I was offered a free ticket. I could’ve seen them at their peak, but like an idiot, I declined. By October 2002, I was obsessed with them, and I haven’t stopped kicking myself since.

Also, an obvious one. They played such a huge role in my musical upbringing, my childhood/adolescence, my pre-teen angst. Since their career was short-lived due to Kurt Cobain’s untimely death, I always wonder how amazing it would’ve been to witness them live. They only came to Toronto 3 times between 1990 and 1993; the Nevermind tour happened at the Opera House. Can you even imagine how historic that would’ve been?

Queen played a total of 7 live shows in Toronto from 1977-1982, making it impossible for me to have ever attended. But man, it would’ve been a dream. Their music alone would be reason enough to go, but with Freddie Mercury on the mic, his showmanship on display, and the band’s music live, all amongst a giant crowd: that would’ve been music at its best.

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On April 21st, 2016, legendary artist Prince passed away. That hit a little too close to home. I won’t say I grew up with Prince’s music, but I never knew a time when Prince’s music wasn’t there making waves. Although I haven’t seen Purple Rain, the title track is etched in my memory because it’s that good. Prince’s music spanned generations, crossed decades and influenced all ages along the way (case in point: the one and only time I saw him live, my mom came with me.)

It’s hard to imagine a musical world without Prince. Not just because he’s been around for so many years, but because he never stopped creating. Whether it was changing his name to a symbol, writing lyrics, making music, playing guitar/piano – he was always in the zone. That dedication, that love for music itself is such a rarity these days. In this day and age, there aren’t many artists whose eccentricity, originality and intrigue come even close to Prince’s. Very few have it all: the writing, the producing, the voice, the ability to play instruments.

A lot of the artists blowing up the charts these days are basically kids who have all grown up in the industry, and just keep reinventing their image to stay relevant. But their music is all interchangeable. Everyone’s a one-trick pony, told to dance for the crowds, singing songs written by other people. They come and go in the blink of an eye, maximize the limelight while they can, then disappear. Is this all the music industry has going for it?

Don’t get me wrong: there are obviously musicians out there keeping true to the essence of the music itself, but a lot of them remain unheard. That’s because times have changed, technology has changed, and the music industry has also changed. It’s less and less about quality and more and more about numbers. How many records sold, how many downloads, how many hits, how much money made; how many social network platforms are being used, how to stay in the spotlight at any cost. After all, any kind of fame is good fame.

I mean, someone please tell me what Taylor Swift is doing that’s so revolutionary. She’s constantly praised and acknowledged, but isn’t doing anything remarkable. The majority of mainstream artists are only mediocre when you focus on talent alone. But since it’s slim pickings out there, music fans are forced to go with the flow, roll with the punches. They don’t have any Prince to look upto, be inspired by; no Bowie to show them how it’s done, no Michael Jackson to take things to the next level.

For future generations, I urge you; I plea with you to make better decisions. Don’t choose what’s in your face because you’re just too lazy to dig a little deeper. Don’t fall for the Twitter feuds, Snapchat faux pas, and leaked albums. Don’t believe the fabricated hype, because as an older more mature music fan I can tell you right now: none of it’s real.